CHP helicopter searches for Marina man who spurred first local Silver Alert

UPDATED 5:52 PM PST Jan 03, 2013

MARINA, Calif. -

The California Highway Patrol flew a helicopter along Big Sur's coastline on Wednesday and Thursday to search for a Marina man whose disappearance spurred the first-ever Silver Alert for a Central Coast resident.

Raymond Beach Smith, 67, was last seen on Dec. 30, 2012, at his Marina home. A Silver Alert was issued at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, one day after California's new Silver Alert system began.

As of Thursday morning, Marina police said search crews had found no signs of Smith. The helicopter flew over Big Sur because Smith was an avid lifelong surfer who loved to drive south to Big Sur's rugged, beautiful beaches.

Smith's wife, Karen Brown, said the Silver Alert was helping her and her daughter stay positive.

"It's made us so much more hopeful because we have looked everywhere we can think of," Karen Brown said. "We really want him to come home. He's very frail and that's why we're worried about him."

Smith, a former aerospace engineer, suffered a stroke in April. In December he expressed thoughts about suicide and depression, family members told police.

Smith could be driving a white 2003 GMC Yukon with California license plate number 5DGK846. His wife, however, said she does not believe Smith would be capable of driving a vehicle because of his stroke.

Anyone who sees Smith or his SUV is asked to call the Marina Police Department at 831-384-5225. Smith is white, 6 feet tall, weighs 155 pounds, and has blond hair and blue eyes.

"It's been hard because we just don't know where he is," Smith's daughter, Kateyrae Brown, said. "I think the main way to find him is by spreading the word."

While Amber Alerts notify Californians about kidnapped or missing children who are in immediate danger, Silver Alerts notify Californians about elderly adults who are considered at risk or in danger. Unlike Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts do not show up on electronic highway signs.